[HPforGrownups] Pettigrew's deserts (was Nel #10)

[Peter and Denise Clements]

No: HPFGUIDX 41735

David wrote:

>If Pettigrew *does* deserve to die, then Harry's act of clemency,
>while correct from the point of view of due process, loses some of
>its moral force since, in thematic terms, he is permitting a
>miscarriage of justice in order for JKR to give him a life-credit
>from Pettigrew for plot purposes.

Now me:
I don't think it loses any of it's moral force .. quite the contrary. There
are people the world over who agree and disagree on the death penalty. Let's
not forget that we're taking about a wizard who killed 13 people, not to
mention his betrayal of Lily and James. I think this draws a great parallel
between their world and ours, the opinions that are expressed and makes us
think how each and every one of us would react to that same situation. It
only makes Harrys decision just that much more honourable.

David again:
>Thoughts?  Does the text imply Pettigrew deserves to die?

Now me:
The simple fact that they have the Unforgivable Curses says to me that in
the WW, life is a very precious thing, not to be treated lightly or with
disrespect. There is no talk of death penalties in Azkaban and the Kiss from
a dementor does actually kill, just removes the part that was obviously
rotten in the first place ... the soul. I think the text was written so that
you could make your own choice based on your own beliefs and given that it
had that great "Voldemort won't want a wizard who owes his life to Harry
twist" I feel that there will be an interesting spin on the whole Pettigrew
owing his life to Harry saga.

Denise